The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-05-28
RUGS AND pRApeR,es.
beautiful Articles Made Of SILK Rags And
Pieces Of wooden Dress Goods.

Pieces OF WOODEN Dress oOOuss
Since rugs and draperies are the OBJ
iects OF universal desire in these days |
(and surely nothing changes the APP
pearance Of room so much), and since
every domestic success has suggestive
value, let me tell you what charming
curtain and rug have just seen, made
Of rags. The young lady whose room
they adorn has quick eye for color,
and n deft and rapid touch. Both
rug and curtain were made ready for
the weaver in the odd moments Of a
summer vacation.
The portiere, very rich and dark in
color, looks at the first glance like a
heavy brocade; it has, however, q
broken, plush-like surface, and one
hardly knows whether it is some costly
oriental fabric or piece Of elaborate
ncedlework. In fact, it is made OF
scraps of silk and satin, Unfortunately
mingled together and woven after the
fashion Of rag carpets. The warp is q
dark red linen thread. The weaving,
done at place where this weaving is
a specially, is in what is called the new
style, which gives crumpled, hand
made effect, more snowy than tho
tightly folded filing Of the usual method.
1 say the scraps are Unfortunately
mixed together, but of course certain
discrimination, a certain choice Is ex-
ercised, and upon that nice feeling for
color which keeps out all incongruous
and jarring fragments, much OF the
effect depends. In this special curtain,
a large proportion of the pieces were
trimmings Of very rich, dark silks and
satins from manufacturing establish
ment. The ordinary remnants of
family, even If sufficient in quantity,
would not have been as desirable for
the purpose.
The rug, woven in the same way, and
made chiefly from two cast-off dresses.
was quite successful piece of work.
The two colors. dull green and gray,
suited the room, and were enlivened by
a mixture of soft yellow dyed with
annatto), and the owner was so de-
lighted with the result as to express an
immediate intention of making "a
larger one next summer"
For rug or carpet, think the old
style of weaving quite as desirable.
What this pretty rug suggested to me
was, the possibility, by a judicious plan,
of making full-sized carpet or large
rug for bed rooms, as pleasing to the
eye as handsome eastern rug, as
economical and durable as the old
fashioned rag carpet I think the secret
may be found in observing two pre-
cautions:
The first is the great essential of
color. Let the materials on hand-the
old dresses, the rolls of scraps belonging
to discarded garments. etc.-be got to-
gcther and examined. Consider the
effect in combination. and decide upon
one or two additional colors which will
best modify or heighten the general
effect of the whole. 1t is II very simple
matter to dye at home, by means of the
inexpensive and convenient propara-
tions now in use.
With greens, browns and olives, q
little yellow will be found very effective
in combination. Dark red will suit
we'll with mixed coloSs. with a consid.
cradle proportion of black. OF course
the colors employed in the room where
the carpet or rug is to be used will be
considered When the decision il
reached, all the white and light rag.
Will be dyed in one or more colors, Oh
shades of color. By dipping a few al
time in the same solution, you will
have several shades of the color, each
lot growing lighter, as the strength Of
the solution is taken up.
If large proportion of the rags art
faded, or very neutral in hue, it is bes
to sort these out and dye sufficient
quantity, in two harmonious colors, tc
make the leading tones of the whole
carpet. Thus drab and maroon, darl
green and light olive, or blue and brown
will make handsome combination.
Then comes the second precaution
which is, think, equally essential. AL
the rags should be cut and thoroughly
mixed before beginning to sew. Thi
will obviate the streaked, uneven effect
which usually detracts greatly from th'
agreeable tone of even the prettiest ras
carpets of the hit-and-miss type. NJ
doubt, in many households, there is
abundant material for such a carpet
material which the housekeeper hardly
knows how to utilize-and why should
we not see what handsome homemade
tioor-coverings it will producep !, TO
one, intend to try.
Perhaps the contents of the scrap
bags are considered too good for Il rae
carpet, In that case, the new pieces o
wooden dress-goods will make hand
some curtain, or a good table-cover
For this purpose they are cut and sewet
in the same manner as for u carpet
Flannel or cashmere pieces should b.
about three-fourths Of an inch wide, ant
the ends Tapped and sewed entirel.
fiat.-Dorothy, in Country Gentleman.
American Oysters In Europe.
| y. S. Consul Goodwin, of Annaberg
Germany, in q recent report on oyster